Additional Considerations

Weight loss surgery (WLS) is not without risk. The risks of surgery must be weighed carefully against the benefits of weight loss. Any major surgery carries risks of bleeding, infection, blood clots, or pulmonary embolism – any of these can be minor, serious, or even life threatening. In addition, gastric bypass surgery carries specific risks, including but not limited to: hernia, gallbladder problems, bowel obstruction, and leak or narrowing of the anastamoses (where the bowels are hooked back together after being re-routed.) Risks of the Lap-Band® system are slippage or erosion. Women of childbearing age must avoid becoming pregnant for one to two years after surgery. Nutritional deficiencies during the rapid weight loss period after surgery could harm the developing baby.

Are You a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

If your BMI is 35-39, you may qualify for surgery if you have weight-related medical conditions such as:

• Diabetes (type II)
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Depression because of obesity
• Degenerative arthritis

If your BMI is 40 or greater, you may qualify for surgery without having any of the medical complications listed above. First, it should be determined that you have exhausted attempts at dieting and medically supervised weight loss. Surgery is not meant to be a first line treatment for obesity, but rather a seriously considered alternative when more conservative treatment has failed.

You must be ready to make a lifelong commitment to change your habits. You must commit to significantly altered eating habits, a routine exercise regimen, and lifelong medical follow-up. If you smoke you must quit prior to surgery – it doesn’t make sense to treat the number two cause of preventable death (obesity) if you continue the number one cause of preventable death (smoking).

According to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery the Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, Lap-Band® system, and duodenal switch have each withstood appropriate scrutiny. Only through careful research and discussion with a qualified bariatric surgeon can a patient decide which procedure may be best for his or her condition.

Know Your Surgeon
BridgeHealth has gone to great effort to select the highest caliber surgeons across the globe. Our nursing staff attends surgeries in overseas operating rooms, observes the quality of aseptic techniques, and interviews the surgeons and their peers.

At home or abroad, you should feel comfortable asking your surgeon questions and discussing your procedural options, while being confident in your surgeon’s ability to assist you with your condition. A surgeon’s certifications, education, experience, and ability to communicate with you are factors you should consider in deciding if he or she is right for you.

As the premier international healthcare service provider, BridgeHealth carefully selects centers of excellence for our World-Class Provider Network™. Many facilities are accredited by bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI), TRENT, ISQua, etc. and are largely staffed by Western-trained, board-certified physicians.

BridgeHealth invites you to ask us about any data available for you to perform healthcare comparison-shopping and to personally evaluate provider services. We can answer any of your questions regarding your surgeon’s qualifications and experience as well.

Special Assistance
Please let your BridgeHealth nurse or Travel Care Coordinator know if you have any special needs for assistance with walking, standing or sitting, assistance with a wheelchair, toileting assistance, urinary catheter care, or help with activities of daily living such as washing or showering. BridgeHealth can help arrange any special assistance you may need.